Page 6 of Racing for Redemption (Backmarker Love trilogy #1)

Mirrors

Violet

T he hotel bar is a blur of soft jazz, dim lights, and clinking glasses. I slump onto a stool, tracing my fingers over the cool marble countertop. Anna slides in beside me, her presence a balm to my frayed nerves.

“Violet,” she murmurs, “talk to me.”

I swallow hard, fighting the lump in my throat. “It’s all falling apart, Anna. Everything Dad built…”

My voice cracks. I clench my jaw, willing the tears away. Anna takes my hand, squeezing gently .

“The board,” I continue, barely above a whisper. “They wanted me out, so I confidently promised eighth place next season, or I’m out. Smart of me when we clearly can’t even finish races.”

Anna’s sharp intake of breath cuts through the ambient noise. “That’s insane! After one season?”

I laugh bitterly. “One disastrous season. Zero points. Dead last. And now—” My eyes burn, frustration piling in. “Now they’re saying I’m ruining Dad’s legacy faster than anyone before me. Reigniting a feud… There’s only so much I can take, Annie. I’m at my limit.”

“Vi, that’s not true,” Anna insists, leaning closer. “You’re fighting an uphill battle. The team was struggling long before you took over. Hell, you’re working miracles just keeping the team afloat.”

I nod mechanically, but the words are hollow. My gaze drifts to the bar mirror, catching my reflection. The woman staring back looks exhausted, defeated. I barely recognize her. No makeup can cover how pathetic I feel right now.

Anna’s arm wraps around my shoulders. “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Vi. It’s just us. Trust in me more.”

Something inside me cracks. I turn, burying my face in Anna’s shoulder. My body shakes with silent sobs, but no tears fall. I can’t let them. I don’t allow them.

“I’ve got you,” Anna murmurs, rubbing soothing circles on my back. “You’re a badass, and you’ll figure this out, I promise. There hasn’t been a challenge in your life you haven’t overcome. ”

“I miss my Dad the most at times like this, you know?” I say through sobs.

“Mr. Colton would just smack you in the head and tell you that you’re suffering in anticipation, Vi.”

After a moment, I pull back, taking a shaky breath.

Anna studies me, her blue eyes filled with concern.

It has been like this since we were kids.

She continues to trust me. Be my biggest hype girl, even when she’s dealing with her fair share of problems back in Japan that she refuses to elaborate on.

“You need a break,” she says firmly. “Come to Bali with me this week. White sand, crystal-clear water, hot guys to distract you—”

“Anna, I can’t just—”

“You can, and you will,” she interrupts. “Even if it’s just for a few days. You need to recharge. It’s on me. Pack your bags, and let’s book a flight and head over as soon as possible. You need new scenery right now. Urgently.”

When she gets an idea in her head, she doesn’t give up. I know well when not to fight her or be stubborn.

“Maybe you’re right,” I concede. “A few days in Bali… It might help clear my head.”

Anna beams, already pulling out her phone to prepare for the trip. “Good, because I’m getting sick of the desert. I need hot water, wind, and sun that won’t melt my skin on contact.”